Not to in any way diminish the pride that sports can bring to a nation, but be wary of applying more significance than deserves to be applied. Angry Arab:

Do you notice this in the US and Saudi media? How they are treating the victory of the Iraqi soccer team as it is a validation of the Bush doctrine? We will live to a day when countries are invaded under the pretext of improving the performance of their soccer teams.

Update 2pm: Apparently the Iraqi team captain wants the US to leave, and won't return to Iraq to celebrate because he fears for his life.